Japanese Bobtail Cat

The Japanese Bobtail is a domestic cat with a short, bobbed tail similar to that of a rabbit, a unique personality and deep roots in Japanese culture.

Fast Facts

1. Native to Southeast Asia and Japan
2. Adult Females weigh 5-7 pounds
3. Adult Males weigh 7-10 pounds
4. Symbol of good luck in Japan
5. First imported to the US in 1968¹
6. Bred in both short hair and long hair varieties

Characteristics

The Bobtail's tuft of a tail isn't its only distinctive attribute. Its color pattern resembles those of Turkish Van, with a mostly snow-white coat and patches of color at the tail and crown. Its personality includes certain traits that are rare in cats, including a penchant for playing fetch, and a tolerance for travel² (which most cats dread).

In Art and Culture

The Japanese bobtail has been depicted in Japanese art for centuries, including in murals on of the walls of Tokyo's 17th century Gotokuji Temple.³ Japanese restaurants around the world keep a statue of Maneki Neko, a Japanese Bobtail from folklore, usually depicted with one paw raised.

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